Injured player got no attention

News roundup: Leinster Council officials are awaiting the referee's report and any other submissions from Saturday's under-21 championship fixture between Laois and Wicklow in Baltinglass at which there was no medical attention for a seriously injured player.

There is considerable anger in Laois at the fate of last year's star minor, Donie Brennan, who had to be hospitalised on Saturday night after being knocked unconscious during the match with about six minutes to go.

The incident that led to his injury culminated in a red card, but it was what happened next that shocked many present. Brennan lay on the field for around three minutes before it became clear there was no stretcher at the venue.

"He was lying there unconscious," according to local Laois journalist and broadcaster Jack Nolan, who was commentating on the match, "and some guy picked him up and carried him off the field like a child. I saw him afterwards in a room and he was still unconscious. We were told that the nearest doctor was in Tullow."

An ambulance arrived and took the player to Naas hospital where there was a further scare when Brennan was found to have no movement in one of his legs.

Fortunately, after he was kept under observation on Saturday night, the Laois forward recovered and was discharged the following day.

"We haven't received the match report nor any complaints yet," said Leinster secretary Michael Delaney last night. "None of our officials was at the game, and although we have talked about it this morning, we're waiting until we get the appropriate information before deciding what action to take.

"The fixture was moved at short notice from Aughrim to Baltinglass, but it is the responsibility of the host county to ensure that medical back-up is available at these sort of games.

"Obviously, though, the buck stops here with us as the organising body and we will be taking it very seriously."

Laois, who picked up two yellow cards, won the match easily. Wicklow had three men red-carded and 10 yellow-carded.

* The GAA have released figures relating to the numbers of red and yellow cards issued in the National Hurling and Football Leagues in 2004.

The figures show 676 yellow and 51 red cards were issued over the course of the football season.

In the hurling league, 450 yellow and 29 red cards were shown.

The number of red and yellow cards shown in this year's leagues will be released following the completion of this year's competitions.